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The excitement for local candidates in the primary election next Tuesday, June 12, has dwindled, said Chesterfield County Democratic vice-chair Gail Ingram. Because so many potential candidates did not file properly, and their names have not been added to the ballots, the competition, at least for now, will have to wait until the general election in November.

Anyone going to the polls in Chesterfield County next Tuesday, June 12, will only be voting for candidates in the 7th Congressional District or for school board races. But not every school district seat is up for re-election, so some voters will only get to vote on the Congressional District.

If voting for a congressional candidate, the voter must choose to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary. And, according to Ingram, “there may be a run-off for either or both of the parties on June 26 for that election.”

Although all school board candidates are non-partisan, their election has fallen prey to the technical difficulties of filing procedures as well. Most of those seeking election to the school board will not be on the ballot.

The words “write-in candidates” have been tossed around the county during all the controversy about proper filing procedures. But the truth is, no one is allowed to write-in votes during a primary race. That is a constitutional right that can only be exercised during an actual election, not a primary.

However, the school board race for June 12 is an actual election, not a primary. Which means, you may vote for the candidate of your choice as it appears on the ballot, or by write-in vote. This year the incumbent candidates are the only ones listed on the ballot, as their deadlines and procedures for filing differ from first time candidates.

Due to the mass confusion and flurry of lawsuits throughout the state that have knocked potential candidates off the certified lists, many candidates have either abandoned their campaign or are in the midst of gathering support to be a petition candidate for election in November.

Two of the hopeful write-in candidates for Chesterfield County School Board are Chap Allison and Eric Dusa, who are running against each other in District 8. Because incumbent Jimmy Williamson is not seeking re-election in that district, no names will appear on the ballot in that race.

In District 5, Olive Tyner is seeking election by write-in vote against incumbent Jamie Wayne, whose name will appear on the ballot.

Shannon Polson, the incumbent candidate for school board in District 7, will face two opponents whose names will not appear on the ballot with hers. William Watson and Robert Teal are both seeking write-in votes for that position.